The percentage of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) characters on broadcast networks in primetime has dropped, according to a new report from GLAAD released Friday.According to the organization's annual "Where We Are On TV" study, LGBT characters make up ...

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By TV Guide

Granite Falls Advocate Tribune

By TV Guide

Posted Oct. 11, 2013 at 6:00 AM

By TV Guide

Posted Oct. 11, 2013 at 6:00 AM

The percentage of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) characters on broadcast networks in primetime has dropped, according to a new report from GLAAD released Friday.

According to the organization's annual "Where We Are On TV" study, LGBT characters make up 3.3 percent of regulars on scripted series this season on the five broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and The CW), down from last year's record high of 4.4 percent.

In the Network Responsibility Index, which looks back at the 2012-2013 TV season, Fox lead the way for being LGBT inclusive with 42 percent of primetime programming hours having included LGBT characters, followed by ABC with 33 percent. Fox was also lauded for including the first transgender series regular with Unique (Alex Newell) on Glee.

On cable, ABC Family topped with 50 percent, followed by FX with 40 percent. The History Channel received a failing grade with no LGBT images on any of its shows last season.

"Last season was a stellar one when it comes to the sheer number of gay, lesbian and bisexual representations on television, though diversity within those storylines showed room for improvement," GLAAD's Wilson Cruz said in a statement. "Though the number of LGBT characters dropped this season, shows like The Fosters, with an interracial female couple raising a family, and characters like Unique on Glee have not only moved the conversation about LGBT people forward, but are also a hit with audiences."